Culture & Wine

Tbilisi: Sulfur Baths, Wine Culture & Caucasus Charm

Where Europe meets Asia — sulfur-scented streets, ancient wine traditions, colorful balconies, and the most generous hospitality you'll ever experience.

Hi, I's Nino. I've been sharing Tbilisi's secrets with travelers for 9 years. This guide was last updated in July 2026.

7 Days / 6 Nights
Tbilisi, Georgia
Food & Wine Lovers
City Walking
$ - Budget Friendly
May-October
Sulfur Baths Narikala Fortress Kakheti Wine Khinkali Khachapuri Bridge of Peace

Supra Culture: The Georgian supra (feast) is a sacred tradition. The tamada (toastmaster) leads the celebration with poetic toasts that can last for hours. Never refuse a toast — it's considered rude. Drink wine, not beer, during toasts. Our prices do not include the inevitable hangover.

Why This Journey is Extraordinary

Sulfur Baths

Soak in the legendary Abanotubani sulfur baths — a Tbilisi tradition since the 5th century

Wine Birthplace

Georgia is the cradle of wine — 8,000 years of qvevri winemaking tradition in Kakheti

Culinary Heaven

Khinkali soup dumplings, khachapuri cheese bread, and the best food you'll eat for under 10 EUR

Incredible Hospitality

Georgians treat guests as gifts from God — you'll be fed, toasted, and loved like family

Daily Journey Inspiration

1

Arrival & Old Town

First impressions of Tbilisi

Morning
Arrival in Tbilisi
Fly into Tbilisi International Airport (TBS). A taxi to the city center costs 30-40 GEL ($10-15). Check into your hotel — we recommend the boutique Rooms Hotel Tbilisi or the charming Hotel Vera Hills. The Old Town is a maze of colorful wooden balconies and winding streets.
Pro tip: Use the Bolt app for taxis — it's cheaper and more reliable than street taxis.
Afternoon
Narikala Fortress & Metekhi Church
Take the cable car (2.5 GEL) from Rike Park up to Narikala Fortress, the ancient citadel overlooking Tbilisi. The views of the city, the Mtkvari River, and the colorful rooftops are spectacular. Walk down to Metekhi Church, a 13th-century church on a cliff overlooking the river.
Best time: Late afternoon for golden hour light. The cable car operates until 11 PM.
Evening
Dinner at Shavi Lomi
Dine at Shavi Lomi (Black Lion), a cozy restaurant in the Old Town serving traditional Georgian food with a modern twist. Try the khinkali (soup dumplings), the badrijani (eggplant with walnut paste), and the ojakhuri (pork with potatoes). Expect to pay 50-70 GEL ($15-20) per person.
2

Sulfur Baths & Rustaveli

Soak and explore

Morning
Abanotubani Sulfur Baths
Visit the Abanotubani district, the historic sulfur bath quarter. The domed brick roofs are iconic. Take a private bath at Chreli Abano or the historic Bath No. 5. A private room with sulfur pool, steam room, and cold plunge costs 50-80 GEL per hour. The water is rich in minerals and incredibly relaxing.
Etiquette: Bring your own towel and flip-flops. You can also buy a "kisa" (scrubbing mitt) for a traditional exfoliation.
Afternoon
Rustaveli Avenue & Bridge of Peace
Walk along Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi's main boulevard. Visit the Georgian National Museum, the Parliament building, and the Opera House. Then walk to the Bridge of Peace, a stunning modern glass-and-steel bridge that illuminates at night. The bridge connects the Old Town to the new district.
Museum tip: The National Museum (20 GEL) has an incredible collection of gold artifacts from ancient Colchis.
Evening
Dinner at Cafe Littera
Cafe Littera is a beautiful restaurant in the courtyard of the Writers' House. The menu features modern Georgian cuisine. The khachapuri with truffle oil is legendary. The courtyard garden is magical in summer. Expect 60-80 GEL per person. The wine list is excellent.
3

Kakheti Wine Region Day Trip

8,000 years of winemaking

Morning
Sighnaghi & Telavi
Take a tour or marshrutka (minibus) to the Kakheti wine region (2 hours east of Tbilisi). Visit Sighnaghi, the "City of Love," a beautiful hilltop town with cobblestone streets and views of the Caucasus Mountains. Continue to Telavi, the heart of Georgian wine country, for wine tasting at a traditional qvevri winery.
Tour cost: A full-day wine tour costs 100-150 GEL per person including transport, tastings, and lunch.
Afternoon
Qvevri Winemaking & Tasting
Visit a traditional winery like Shumi or Alaverdi Monastery to see qvevri (clay amphorae) winemaking. Georgia is the birthplace of wine, with 8,000 years of continuous winemaking tradition. Taste the unique amber wines (orange wines) made from Rkatsiteli and Saperavi grapes. The natural winemaking process is fascinating.
Wine tip: Georgian amber wine is a unique style — dry, tannic, and complex. It's unlike anything else in the world.
Evening
Return to Tbilisi
Return to Tbilisi in the evening. For dinner, head to Pasanauri, a famous khinkali restaurant in the Old Town. Their khinkali (soup dumplings) are considered the best in the city. Each dumpling is a work of art — twist the top, bite the side, slurp the broth. 0.80 GEL per dumpling.
4

Dry Bridge Market & Holy Trinity

Antiques and awe-inspiring cathedrals

Morning
Dry Bridge Market
Visit the Dry Bridge Market (open daily, best on weekends), Tbilisi's famous open-air flea market. You'll find everything: Soviet memorabilia, antique jewelry, old cameras, vinyl records, traditional daggers, and carpets. The market is a treasure hunt for history lovers.
Bargain tip: Haggle respectfully. Start at 50% of the asking price. Soviet-era pins and badges cost 2-5 GEL.
Afternoon
Tsminda Sameba Cathedral
Visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Tbilisi (Tsminda Sameba), one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world. Built between 1995 and 2004, the cathedral can hold 10,000 worshippers. The golden dome is visible from across the city. The interior is decorated with stunning frescoes and iconostases.
Dress code: Modest clothing required. Women should cover their heads. Entry is free.
Evening
Meidan Bazaar & Dinner
Explore Meidan Bazaar, a basement market under the Old Town with shops selling wine, cheese, spices, and crafts. For dinner, try the Supra restaurant for a traditional Georgian feast. The megrelian khachapuri (boat-shaped cheese bread with egg) and the pkhali (vegetable pate) are excellent.
5

Kazbegi Day Trip

Mountains and the iconic Gergeti Church

Morning
Georgian Military Highway
Take a 3-hour drive along the Georgian Military Highway to Kazbegi (Stepantsminda). The road is one of the most scenic in the world, passing through the Caucasus Mountains, the Ananuri Fortress, and the Gudauri ski resort. The views of Mount Kazbek (5,047 meters) are breathtaking.
Tour cost: 100-150 GEL per person for a shared tour. Private tours cost 250-350 GEL.
Afternoon
Gergeti Trinity Church
Hike or take a 4x4 up to Gergeti Trinity Church, one of the most iconic churches in the world. Perched at 2,170 meters against the backdrop of Mount Kazbek, the church is a symbol of Georgia. The hike takes about 1.5 hours each way. The views are absolutely otherworldly.
4x4 option: 50 GEL per person round trip. The hike is moderate but rewarding. Bring warm clothes — it's cold even in summer.
Evening
Return to Tbilisi
Return to Tbilisi in the evening. For dinner, try the famous Khachapuri House on Rustaveli. Their adjaruli khachapuri (boat-shaped cheese bread with egg and butter) is the best in the city. Pull the cheese, mix the egg, and tear the bread. It's a religious experience. 15 GEL.
6

Mtskheta & Jvari Monastery

Ancient capitals of Georgia

Morning
Mtskheta (UNESCO)
Take a marshrutka (20 minutes, 2 GEL) to Mtskheta, the ancient capital of Georgia and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral, built in the 11th century and one of the most sacred places in Georgia. The cathedral is said to be the burial site of Christ's robe.
Entry: Free. Modest dress required. The cathedral is particularly beautiful in the morning light.
Afternoon
Jvari Monastery
Walk or take a taxi up to Jvari Monastery (6th century), perched on a hill overlooking the confluence of the Mtkvari and Aragvi rivers. The monastery is a masterpiece of early Georgian Christian architecture. The view from the hill is spectacular — you can see both rivers and the entire Mtskheta valley.
Getting there: A taxi from Mtskheta costs 10-15 GEL. The walk up is about 30 minutes uphill.
Evening
Farewell Supra at Gvetadze's
Experience a true Georgian supra (feast) at Gvetadze's, a family-run restaurant in the Old Town. The tamada (toastmaster) will lead the evening with poetic toasts. The food keeps coming — khachapuri, khinkali, mtsvadi (grilled pork), pkhali, and so much more. Expect at least 3 hours of eating, drinking, and toasting.
7

Last Day & Departure

Final tastes of Tbilisi

Morning
Last Walk & Shopping
Visit the Dezerter Bazaar, Tbilisi's central food market, for last-minute shopping. Buy Georgian wine, churchkhela (candle-shaped walnut candy), and spices. The market is a sensory overload — fresh produce, cheese, dried fruits, and the famous Georgian spices.
Afternoon
Departure
Transfer to the airport (30-40 GEL by Bolt taxi). Tbilisi is a city that stays in your heart. The sulfur baths, the endless toasts, the khinkali, the wine, the mountains — you'll leave a piece of yourself here. As Georgians say: "Guest is a gift from God." You were a gift to Tbilisi.

Practical Tips

Getting There

Tbilisi International Airport (TBS) serves flights from major European and Asian cities. Georgian Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Wizz Air are the main carriers. The airport is 17 km from the city center.

Transportation

The Tbilisi Metro is excellent (1 GEL per ride). Use the Bolt taxi app for affordable rides. Marshrutkas (minibuses) connect to all major destinations. The city is walkable but hilly.

Best Time to Visit

May-October offers the best weather. Spring (May-June) is beautiful with blooming flowers. Summer (July-August) is hot but vibrant. Autumn (September-October) is perfect for wine tours. Winter is cold but the sulfur baths are magical.

Budget Tips

Georgia is very affordable. Budget 40-60 EUR/day. A meal at a local restaurant costs 30-50 GEL ($10-15). A khachapuri is 10-15 GEL. A bottle of local wine is 15-25 GEL. The metro is 1 GEL per ride.

What to Pack

Comfortable walking shoes (Tbilisi is hilly). Modest clothing for churches. A swimsuit for the sulfur baths. A warm jacket for the mountains. A reusable water bottle. An appetite for khinkali.

Sulfur Bath Etiquette

Private rooms cost 50-80 GEL/hour. Bring your own towel. The "kisa" mitt is for exfoliation. The water is hot (38-40 degrees C). Cold plunge after the hot bath. No alcohol before bathing. The baths are gender-segregated.

Supra (Feast) Etiquette

The tamada (toastmaster) controls the toasts. Never drink without a toast. Toasts are for peace, family, women, friends, and the homeland. Georgian wine is for toasting, beer is not. Pace yourself — supras last 3+ hours.

Metro System

Tbilisi's metro has two lines covering the main areas. Buy a Metromoney card (2 GEL) and load credit. Trains run every 3-5 minutes. Stations are deep underground (some are among the deepest in the world). The view from the escalators is dizzying.

Gallery

Tbilisi Old Town balconies
Sulfur baths Abanotubani
Narikala Fortress
Gergeti Trinity Church
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral Mtskheta
Georgian wine qvevri

Traveler Reviews

Julia R.

Julia R.

Paris, France | June 2026

★★★★★

Tbilisi is the most fascinating city I've ever visited. The sulfur baths at Chreli Abano were incredible — I felt like a new person. The Old Town with its colorful wooden balconies is a photographer's dream. The Dry Bridge Market was a treasure hunt — I found a Soviet-era camera and a 19th-century dagger. The food is out of this world. The khinkali at Pasanauri were the best dumplings of my life. Georgia is the most underrated country in Europe.

Alex M.

Alex M.

Los Angeles, CA | May 2026

★★★★★

The Kakheti wine tour was the highlight of my trip. Visiting Shumi winery and seeing the qvevri (clay amphorae) winemaking process was fascinating. The amber wines are unlike anything I've ever tasted. Sighnaghi is a beautiful town with incredible views of the Caucasus. The supra at Gvetadze's was an unforgettable experience. Our tamada was a poet who made everyone cry with his toasts. The food, the wine, the hospitality — Georgia is magic.

Sophie T.

Sophie T.

Amsterdam, Netherlands | April 2026

★★★★★

The Kazbegi day trip was the most beautiful drive I've ever done. The Georgian Military Highway is stunning — mountains, rivers, and ancient fortresses. Gergeti Trinity Church at 2,170 meters is one of the most incredible places I've ever been. The hike up was tough but the view of Mount Kazbek made it all worth it. The Khachapuri House on Rustaveli serves the best adjaruli khachapuri. I ate three. No regrets.

Daniel K.

Daniel K.

Berlin, Germany | March 2026

★★★★★

The metro system in Tbilisi is wild. The stations are incredibly deep — the escalator ride at Rustaveli station takes 2 minutes. The Soviet-era architecture of the stations is fascinating. The Bridge of Peace at night is stunning. The sulfur baths are a must-do. I went to Bath No. 5 and had a traditional kisa scrub. My skin has never felt so smooth. The wine culture here is incredible. Every meal comes with a toast.

Maya S.

Maya S.

Tel Aviv, Israel | February 2026

★★★★★

Mtskheta and Jvari Monastery were a beautiful day trip. Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is incredibly sacred — you can feel the history. Jvari Monastery has one of the most beautiful settings of any church I've ever seen. The confluence of the two rivers below is spectacular. The Dezerter Bazaar is a food lover's paradise. I bought churchkhela, spices, and a bottle of Saperavi wine for under 50 GEL. Tbilisi is affordable, beautiful, and unforgettable.

Tom F.

Tom F.

London, UK | January 2026

★★★★★

The National Museum's gold collection is world-class. The artifacts from ancient Colchis (the land of the Golden Fleece) are incredible. The Rustaveli Avenue is a beautiful boulevard. Cafe Littera was the best meal of my trip — the courtyard dining is magical. The Georgian people are the friendliest I've ever encountered. I was invited to a family supra on my second day. The hospitality is genuine and overwhelming. I will definitely return.

Anna W.

Anna W.

Vancouver, Canada | December 2025

★★★★★

The cable car up to Narikala Fortress at sunset is the best thing you can do in Tbilisi. The view of the city with the golden dome of Sameba Cathedral and the colorful Old Town rooftops is breathtaking. The Meidan Bazaar is a great place to buy wine. I brought back 4 bottles of amber wine. The Shavi Lomi restaurant was recommended by a local and it was perfect. The badrijani (eggplant with walnut) is a must-try.

Carlos G.

Carlos G.

Barcelona, Spain | November 2025

★★★★★

The Dry Bridge Market on a Sunday is incredible. I spent 3 hours browsing Soviet memorabilia, old cameras, and handmade crafts. I bought a beautiful Georgian rug for 150 GEL ($50). The Tsminda Sameba Cathedral is enormous and beautiful. The golden dome is stunning. The food at Pasanauri was the perfect end to every day. The supra culture is real and wonderful. I was warned about the toasts but nothing prepares you. Gamarjoba, Tbilisi!

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